Interesting WW1 AUSTRALIA cloth title

[slick_mick]

I saw this rare title for sale at the Penrith Show today.

A WW1 AUSTRALIA title worn on greatcoats.

Enjoy!

Mick

[Jackhr]

Did you buy it? and if I may ask what did they ask for it?

[slick_mick]

No mate - too rich for me.

The (well known Australian) dealer wants $300 for it.

Mick

[Jackhr]

Is it LS if so he wants high prices for a lot of badges that I see sit there time after time.

[badgecollector]

hi all
im not saying this is not a WW1 AUSTRALIA title worn on greatcoats, but how do we know?
what are the discerning characteristics? what size is it? is it bigger than normal?
i know keith lists it in his fabulous book but i believe he also says they were unofficial and made by several manufacturers.
thanks
bc

[slick_mick]

It was approximately 10cm or so in length so its quite large.

[fairlie63]

Originally Posted by badgecollector

hi all
im not saying this is not a WW1 AUSTRALIA title worn on greatcoats, but how do we know?
what are the discerning characteristics? what size is it? is it bigger than normal?
i know keith lists it in his fabulous book but i believe he also says they were unofficial and made by several manufacturers.
thanks
bc

bc is quite correct in asking how do we know IF it is a Great War title. With the exception that there is photographic evidence of this sort of thing occurring during that war and that the titles in the photos are similar for instance to the one in this thread there is no real way of knowing.

During the Second World War we had a forestry group in UK for several years 1940-43, the military mission in London, and a PW reception group 1944-46, plus a half division for six months during 1940-41. It is not beyond possibility that within days of the Australians lobbing onto Salisbury Plain in 1940 that items such as this were appearing in the local tailors shops!

The other point is that woven AUSTRALIA titles for service dress etc were authorised as optional items at personal expense in March 1944, not to be worn until embarked for overseas and to be removed prior to disembarkation back in Australia. It is not until August 1944 that a distinct pattern was authorised and supplied at public expense. Perhaps because a number of designs were being worn it was decided to standardise on the smaller title.

Keith

[badgecollector]

Hi guys
Are these the same/similar as the first title shown?
About 10cm wide and supposedly removed from an old great coat found in France.
BC

[fearnaught]

Hi Keith, are you saying there is photographic evidence of this title in use in WW1? or could it be occupation troops? i.e.4th Squadron AFC, best wishes Mike

[fairlie63]

Originally Posted by fearnaught

Hi Keith, are you saying there is photographic evidence of this title in use in WW1? or could it be occupation troops? i.e.4th Squadron AFC, best wishes Mike

Hi Mike, don't know about the 4 Sqn AFC aspect but Jeff Cossum's book on cloth has a photo of one being worn on p79, the same bloke appears to have a cloth FA sewn to his shoulder straps.

I'm fairly certain I have another photo ex-Jeff in the files of it in wear, might take a while to dig out.

Keith

[Jackhr]

Originally Posted by fairlie63

Hi Mike, don't know about the 4 Sqn AFC aspect but Jeff Cossum's book on cloth has a photo of one being worn on p79, the same bloke appears to have a cloth FA sewn to his shoulder straps.

I'm fairly certain I have another photo ex-Jeff in the files of it in wear, might take a while to dig out.

Keith

Here you are gents.

[fromelles]

Hi everyone,

Here are mine, I don't know the history of these, but will grab them whenever they're offered for sale at a reasonable cost.

I'd really like to know what the top one is, it's very similar to the others, but in green with a slightly different shade of felt.

They are between 9 and 10cm at their widest point.

Dan